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Lopez loves what Tigers represent

Lopez loves what Tigers represent

George Lopez

By
/
MLB.com |

DETROIT -- The Tigers had a few celebrity sightings during their run through the American League playoffs, but to this point, Michigan natives Jeff Daniels and Tom Selleck stand out as their most recognizable fans from Hollywood.

So when George Lopez walked onto the field during the Tigers' workout Saturday, it was unusual. For one thing, the workouts aren't open to the public. As a friend of manager Jim Leyland's good friend Tony La Russa, however, Lopez was an invited guest.

Lopez was in town for a show Saturday night across the street at the Fox Theatre. The way he traded laughs with Miguel Cabrera, it looked like he was trying out material.

"I told him that a Latino winning the Triple Crown is as impressive as having a black president," Lopez said later, "and he started laughing. Great guy. Great sense of humor."

Lopez's southern California roots make him a Dodgers fan, enough that he has to root against the Giants -- or at least root for them to lose in the World Series. However, he has long followed the Tigers and loves what they represent.

"I've been a baseball fan my whole life, and in the old Tiger Stadium, it was amazing. I remember watching the All-Star Game when I was a little kid. And then, one of the few Latino players at that time, Aurelio Lopez, was at third. We loved him. And in '84, when they came to play the Angels, we went as much as we could.

"It's a great blue-collar town. It deserves this. You can't predict, but it would be wonderful for this town and for baseball if the Tigers win the World Series."